Patna/Mahua/Muzaffarpur: It’s an hour to midnight, and Patna is nowhere close to calling it a day.
The newly-built Ganga riverfront — which the Bihar capital calls its ‘Marine Drive’ — is bustling with activity. Groups of youngsters are sipping chai and making reels on their smartphones. It’s their only reprieve. They spend days and months buried in books to clear competitive exams.
“Youth toh sabse pehle rozgaar chaahta hai, chaahe koi bhi ho (the youth wants jobs, more than anything, no matter who it is),” Ankit Kumar, a student preparing for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE) organised by Bihar Public Service Commission, told ThePrint.
Employment for youngsters has been the cornerstone of poll manifestos released by key political players ahead of Bihar Assembly elections.
NDA, eyeing continuity at the helm of power, invoked its ‘vikas’ narrative and promised that the PM Modi-CM Nitish Kumar combine will spur industrial development and create one crore more jobs across Bihar.
Opposing that, Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, declared it will provide one government job for every household in the state. Arguing that NDA didn’t do enough despite being in power, the coalition promised a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000-3,000 for all unemployed youth.
And new entrant Prashant Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj Party has pitched itself as an alternative to NDA and Mahagathbandhan, has repeatedly referred to jobs and migration in its campaign.
It’s obvious why youth are central to parties’ outreach drives.
Election Commission data shows 14 lakh youngsters are set to vote in Assembly polls for the first time. Youngsters, those in the 18-29 age group, account for a large chunk of Bihar’s 7.42 crore-strong electorate.
Still, not everyone wants a change in government.
“Nitish ji Bihar ke liye bilkul sahi hain. Unke raaj mein jo kaam hua hai, peeche waisa kuch nahi hua. Phir se aayenge toh behtar rahega (Nitish ji is the person for Bihar. Whatever work has happened under his rule has never happened earlier. It would be good if he returns to power),” said Abhishek Kumar of Patna.
Abhishek said providing government jobs to all households, as was Mahagathbandhan’s promise, wasn’t practical. “Industry aur factories lagaani chahiye (industries and factories must be developed),” he said.
Others said they appreciate progress under Nitish Kumar’s government, but the state needs more.
“For multiple terms, it has been Nitish Kumar, and he has worked for the people. There’s no denying that. But, now we want to give a chance to a youth leader. Badlaav hona chaiye (there must be change). I want to give one chance to Tejashwi,” Kunal Kumar, who wants to crack the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam, said.
Though Bihar’s unemployment rate was down from 7% in 2017-18 to 3% in 2023-24, the quarterly Periodic Labour Force (PLFS) report for April-June 2025 said the state’s labour force participation (LFPR) was 33.9% in the 15-29 age group, lower than the national average of 42%.
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Experts pointed out there are several ways to create jobs, but any progress needs political will.
“The important thing to emphasise is not just employment but also employability. How employable and skilled is the population,” asked Dr Mohan Rao, former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor.
Dr Rao said sectors such as health and education can easily “absorb human capital”.
“But these are the sectors where the state is actually cutting investment, not increasing. If the government wanted, there are more than enough sectors within the government where jobs can be created. These promises can be fulfilled,” he said.
In speaking up about those who are forced to migrate in search for jobs, Jan Suraaj Party tapped into a popular sentiment among youngsters. But most were noncommittal, when asked if they would give the party a chance.
Shrikant Kumar, a second-year engineering student, said he hoped there were companies in Bihar. “I’m an engineering student. Bihar should have companies, so that those like us don’t need to leave the state after graduating,” Shrikant said.
“Only giving a government job is not an option. You have to create opportunities for Biharis… We should give an opportunity to someone else — whichever party will come. New people should be given a chance. PK is there,” said Ashish Kumar.
“See, there is a new party and in a healthy democracy, it’s always good to have an alternative. It might be too early for them but it may become a viable option in the future,” said Roshan Kumar, a resident of Muzaffarpur.
On the youth’s expectations, Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said NDA has provided 50 lakh jobs.
“Now, NDA has promised created 1 crore new jobs. At the same time, Rs 10,000 will be provided to women. We are working on a positive agenda. On the other side, Tejashwi Yadav is accused in a land for job case… Mahagathbandhan won’t come to power, so they can promise the moon too,” Prasad said.
RJD’s national spokesperson Jayant Jigyasu said Bihar has already endured a lot under the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) government.
“There are no jobs. Exam papers are leaked. The youth is our future, and they should be the focus of every government. That is why Tejashwi ji decided to include free travel to competitive exam centres for the youth, one government job for every family, and more employment opportunities,” Jigyasu said.
For Ankit Kumar, the student quoted above, there’s just one agenda. “I was preparing for the Teacher Recruitment Exam, but it got postponed because of elections… As students, what do we want? We want jobs,” he said.
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